Nature of Research

Lesson 2
Practical Research 1
June 21 -- 23, 2016
 Quick Research Exercise
Research Exercise #3
Answer Activity 2 (page 6) on your Research Notebook
5 minutes
 Objectives
The learner:
shares research experiences and knowledge
explains the importance of research in daily life
describes characteristics, processes, and ethics of
research
differentiates between quantitative and qualitative
research
provides examples of research in areas of interest
(particularly business for ABM and social inquiry and
humanities for HUMSS)
Experiences in Researching
Experience in research?
Baby thesis in Grade 10 (why is it called such?)
Research project in a subject during JHS
“Searching” the Internet for information (e.g. an artist, a
hotel reservation or flight deals, game stats, etc.)
Experiences in Researching
Experience in research?
Baby thesis in Grade 10 (why is it called such?)
Research project in a subject during JHS
“Searching” the Internet for information (e.g. an artist, a
hotel reservation or flight deals, game stats, etc.)

Research in the near future?

A college research paper?
Undergraduate thesis, masteral thesis, dissertation?
A business plan for a new venture?
A legal opinion?
An article for your own blog or article for a newspaper?
 Meaning of Research
A process of executing various mental acts of discovering
and examining facts and information to prove the accuracy
or truthfulness of your claims or conclusions about the
topic (Baraceros, 2016)
Requires inquiry and investigation by asking questions and
engaging in high level thinking strategies to discover truths
(Litchman, 2013)
Systematic process of collecting and logically analyzing
information (data) for some purpose (McMillan and
Schumacher, 2001)
“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying
with a purpose” – Zora Neale Hurson
 Research and Inquiry
Inquiry as a prerequisite to research

Research has stages  process

Research is a collaborative process (vs. individual

process of inquiry)

Research puts the researcher in the context of the

problem and requires to work logically, systematically
and collaboratively with others
 Research in Daily Life
What will this be used for?

How will research help me understand a real world

problem and solve it?
 Purposes of Research
(Baraceros, 2016 and Lester and Lester, 2015)

to learn to work independently

to learn to work scientifically and systematically

to gain in-depth knowledge of something of value to society

to elevate thinking, inquiry-based techniques and investigative

skills (use of various sources like the library, the Internet,
databases, periodicals)
 Purposes of Research
(Baraceros, 2016 and Lester, 2015)

to improve literacy; teach the essential skill of writing a research

paper

to use tools of research and discovery methods (techniques,

methods of data gathering and presentation)

to learn independently (versus spoon feeding) through guided

practice leading to critical thinking (discriminating and
segregating evidences versus undocumented opinion

to assimilate your ideas in your chosen field and improve career

skills
Research and Career Choices
Researchers in different disciplines and scientists in
different fields; examples:
Technological science focuses on the past research while
developing new manufacturing trends
Social science promotes advancement in society in a
form of investigative studies
Professional researchers spearhead pioneering and
innovating scientific and technological developments
 A Brief on Knowledge
Epistemology  study of our method of acquiring
knowledge; answers the question “How do we know?”
Two kinds of knowledge:
a priori knowledge  acquired through anything that is
independent of experience; a product of pure reason 
Rationalism
a posteriori knowledge  acquired by experience or
empirical evidence (e.g. science and personal
knowledge)  Empiricism

Research is fond of using empirical knowledge

(acquired through the scientific method)
12 Characteristics of Research
Empirical  based on direct experience or observation of
the researcher

Logical  based on valid procedures and principles

Accurate  gives correct data that is properly

documented/cited

Analytical  proves analytical procedures in gathering data

Objective  deals with facts (versus assumptions, opinions,

predictions)

Timely  fresh, new, interesting topic (considers the

audience)
12 Characteristics of Research
Relevant  has social value (remember Habermas?)

Clear  simple, direct, concise, correct language

Methodical / Systematic  organized and orderly

manner

Cyclical  starts with a problem and ends with a

problem

Replicable  can be repeated to enable future

researchers to arrive at valid conclusions and results

Critical  exhibits carefully studied judgment

 Exercise
Research Exercise #4 (due on Friday, June 24)
Name and explain 5 characteristics of a good researcher.
Cite your source/reference.
Assess yourself against these characteristics by giving
yourself a score (1 is the lowest, 5 is the highest) per
characteristic.
Example:
Cute – a researcher should be cute to get a high score in
research exercises.  5
Research and the Use of the
Scientific Method
Scientific method refers to the systematic, organized
series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and
consistency in investigating a phenomenon, acquiring
new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous
knowledge

For research to be considered as scientific, a method of

inquiry must be based on gathering observable,
empirical, and measureable evidence subject to specific
principles of reasoning
 Scientific Inquiry
Stages of Research Process
Identifying and Delimiting the
Problem
Review of Related Literature
Developing the Theoretical
Framework
Formulating Hypothesis
Selecting the Research Design
Key Questions
What is the problem and why should it be
studied?
What information is already available?
What are the variables and what relationship
exists?
How are we going to obtain the answers to
questions being studied?
Where will the study be conducted and with
what population?
 Scientific Inquiry
Stages of Research Process Key Questions

Sampling How will the respondents be identified and

selected?

Specifying Methods to Collect What method will be used to measure the

variables?
Data
Finalizing and Reviewing the Are there any pitfalls and shortcomings in
the research plan? Are there any ethical
Research Plan violations?
Collecting the Data Are we ready to collect the data? Where will
the data be collected?

Preparing the Data for Analysis Which of the data are relevant? Which are
related?
 Scientific Inquiry
Stages of Research Process Key Questions

Analyzing the Data How do the data answer the research

questions?

Interpreting the Results What are the implications of the findings?

Drawing the Conclusion/s How is the finding related to the hypothesis?

Communicating and Publishing How will we impart the results of the

research?
the Findings
Utilizing the Findings How can the study be used/utilized? How
can the findings be applied?
 Types of Research
Research Method Purpose Data

Pure Research Descriptive Qualitative

Applied Research Correlational Quantitative
Explanatory Primary
Exploratory Secondary
Action
 Types of Research
According to Research Method Application
Pure  generate new knowledge
driven purely by curiosity and a desire to expand our
knowledge
tends not to be directly applicable to the real world in a
direct way but enhances our understanding of the world
around us
Applied  intention is to apply research to societal
problems or issues, finding ways to make changes in
society
used to answer a specific question that has direct
application to the world
 Types of Research
According to Purpose
Descriptive  verbal portrayal of a person, event, situation
bounded by time or place; employs careful observations and
documentation of a phenomenon of interest
Correlational  relationship of two variables or factors
Explanatory  explores the reasons behind the established
relationship
Exploratory  finds reason or possibility of research; usually
for new lines of inquiry; used to scope out the extent of the
problem
Action  studies an on going practice to improve the system
 Types of Research
According to Purpose (Examples)
Exploratory  How many infants are born with
diabetes? Is this a new trend in the history of this illness?
Descriptive  What are the symptoms of diabetes?
What are the effects of diabetes in metabolism?
Correlational  Is an unmanaged intake of
carbohydrates related to the occurrence of diabetes
among males 40 years old and above?
Explanatory  Why is the occurrence of diabetes more
prevalent in today’s society?
Action  How effective are diabetes support groups in
educating the youth about the disease?
 Types of Research
According to Data Needed
Quantitative  measurement of magnitude, size or extent of
the phenomenon
Qualitative  provides descriptions of basic nature of the
characteristics of the phenomenon; requires non-numerical
data (e.g. people’s thoughts, beliefs, opinions which are not
measurable through numbers**)

Primary data  obtained through direct observation or

contact; new and original information
Secondary  obtained through published reports,
information

**versus the view that everything can be quantified

 Types of Research
According to Relation to Theory
Inductive / Theory-Building  goal of the researcher is
to infer theoretical concepts and patterns from observed
data
Is there a relationship between iron-fist leadership and
crime rate reduction?
Are jobs created by economic growth or is economic
growth a product of job creation?
Deductive / Theory-Testing  goal of the researcher is
to test concepts and patterns known from theory using
new data
How does the wisdom of crowds defeat traffic mobile
navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps?
Did Metro Manila vote for the opposition presidential
candidate?
 Approaches to Research
Scientific / Positive approach  control of variables
by the researcher; impersonal approach
structured interviews, questionnaires, checklists
suited for quantitative research

Naturalistic approach  no control of variables

participant-observation, ethnographic research
suited for qualitative data

Triangulation approach/Mixed method

use of multiple methods of data gathering and data
analysis
use of different perspectives
 Discussion (page 15)
Classify the following topics as pure or applied research.
Then classify them as descriptive, explanatory, correlational
or action
Theory of Relativity
University Belt Street Foods
Landline versus Cellphone
Reasons Behind Tuition Fee Increases
Manila Flash Flood Solutions
College Assessment Practices
Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking in Learning-
Teaching Situations
The Why and How of Internet Use
Effects of Korean Telenovelas on Filipino TV Viewers
Digital Age
Teaching Through PowerPoint Presentations
Archimedes’ Principle of Buoyancy
 Assignment
Research Exercise #5 (due on Tuesday, June 28)
Look for a research report (a journal article, a thesis, or
a study published in a reputable organ)
Make a report about this research
What is the topic of the research?
What type of research was conducted?
pure or applied?
descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, correlational?
What is the approach used?
scientific, naturalistic, triangulation/mixed method?
What kind of data was used?
qualitative, quantitative?
primary, secondary?
 Group Activity
Form a group of 3 members

Come up with a research question about the following

topics for each type of reseacrch according to purpose
(Exploratory, Descriptive, Correlational, Explanatory
and Action)
School Stress among HSAians
Trends in Business (Grade 11 – Joy)
Politics in the Age of Social Media (Grade 11 - Peace)

You have 20 minutes for this activity.

Ethical Norms to be Followed
in Research
Norms promote the aims of research.
Prohibitions against falsifying data promote truth and
avoid error.

Standards promote the values that are essential to

collaborative work.

Norms help ensure accountability to the public (e.g. in

cases of misconduct, conflicts of interests, etc.)

Ethical norms also build public support for research.

Ethical Principles of Research
(Shamoo and Resnik, 2009)
Honesty Responsible Mentoring
Objectivity Respect for Colleagues
Openness Social Responsibility
Respect for Intellectual Non-discrimination
Property
Competence
Carefulness
Legality
Integrity
Animal Care
Confidentiality
Human Subjects Protection
Responsible Publication
Ethical Principles of Research
(Shamoo and Resnik, 2009)
Honesty
honestly report data, results, methods
do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data

Objectivity
strive to avoid bias in design, analysis, interpretation
lend your research to peer review

Openness
share data, results, ideas, resources
be open to criticism and new ideas

Respect for Intellectual Property

honor patents, copyrights,
give credit where credit is due
give proper acknowledgment for all contributions
never plagiarize